Keeping alive the Islamic tradition of scholarship, insight, and purification...one day at a time.

Sunday, September 25, 2005

LESSON OF THE DAY 331

Ayah of the Day:It is God Who eases your way on land and sea, even when you are in ships: for they travel on them by good winds, and rejoice thereat; but when a violent wind comes, and surging waves come upon them from all sides, and they think they are surrounded by them, they call to God with sincere religiosity, "If you rescue us from this, we will really be grateful!" [10:22]

Hadith of the Day:Those who wish their lives to be prolonged, their provision to be increased, and to be protected against an evil death, let them fear God and safeguard their kinship bonds. [Bukhari]

Wise Quote of the Day:Of all worldly possessions, few are more precious than a grateful heart. It is a wellspring of belief, attuning us to the Divine presence and driving us to His worship. [Imam Magid bin Muhammad]

Guidance of the Day:Remembrance is the greatest station for worshippers, where they take their traveling provisions, make bargains, and to which they constantly return. God has assigned times and numbers to all forms of worship except Remembrance, with regard to which He simply commanded us to do it abundantly, without setting any limits. He has said, "O believers! Remember God abundantly! (33:41), meaning that it should be done in all circumstances, night and day, on land and sea, in sickness and in health, at home or when traveling, silently and loud.

He has allowed no excuses for forsaking it, except for those whose faculty of reason has departed. There is a hadith recorded by bukhari and Muslim that states that "those who remember their Lord and those who do not are like the living and the dead." And the Prophet (may blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, "shall I tell you which action is the best and the purest in the sight of your Lord, is most elevating to your degrees, and which is better for you than giving away gold and silver, and than encountering your enemies so that you may strike at their necks and they strike at yours?" "Please do, O Messenger of God!" they said. And he told them, "The Remembrance of God." [Key to the GARDEN]

Food for Thought:Avoid greed for greed itself is poverty. The richest is the one who is not entrapped by greed. Wealth does not reside in the amount of one's property, but rather in one's own needlessness.